Day 3 – Di Lucas, DVCS Chair Person

Name: Di Lucas

Position: DVCS Chair Person

When did you start working with DVCS: I worked for DVCS when it was just a new service in the early 1990s. I always had a lot to do with DVCS through my other roles in teh community sector and have been a member for many years. I joined the DVCS Board in early 2013.

Why did you want to work with DVCS: Having been employed in the violence against women sector for many years, being a part of the DVCS Board offered me another avenue for my commitment to challenge gender inequality and ultimately eliminate violence in intimate relationships and the world.

What is your favourite think about working at DVCS: One thing? That is difficult. I love working with other people whoa re passionate and committed to making a change in our communities. I love working with people who are always looking for better ways to support families experiencing the violence. The fact that DVCS services are delivered within a feminist and human rights framework is very important to me. It means that we are not just applying a bandaid, but we are also challenging the system of gender and power relationships that results in violence and abuse.

What is your favourite thing about Canberra: Being close to the bush. Having grown up in a small country town, Canberra is the biggest place I have felt comfortable in. It is also a small enough jurisdiction, that it opens possibilities for more collaborative work between communities and government.

What would be the one message you want people to take away from reading about you: That gender inequality and domestic and family violence are inextricably linked and we can all contribute to the change we want to see.